He's still a possibility. Unfortunately, so is Walker.

http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/50146.htm

KNICKS FORGE JAMES BOND

By MARC BERMAN
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July 14, 2005 -- The Knicks did not solidify their coaching position yesterday, but they did land their behemoth starting center, agreeing to terms with Seattle's 7-1, 275-pounder Jerome James, according to sources.

His agent, Marc Fleisher, said James will sign a five-year, $29 million deal for the full mid-level exception ($5M annually).

There is a tiny chance the Sonics and Knicks can work out a sign-and-trade that would give James a bigger payday, but that seems very remote, a league source said. Fleisher alerted the Sonics to James' decision yesterday and the clubs may talk.

Knicks president Isiah Thomas and director of player personnel Brendan Suhr had dinner with James Tuesday night in Manhattan to seal the deal.

Outside the restaurant, a source said, a jubilant James started introducing himself to some patrons, saying, "Hi. I'm Jerome James, the Knicks new starting center."

James' signing can't become official until the new collective bargaining agreement is drafted. That is tentatively scheduled for July 22, but still could be pushed back, a source said.

The Knicks do not have strong motivation to do a sign-and-trade with Seattle and give up an asset. There's no reason to keep the mid-level available because they don't feel power forwards Stromile Swift or Antoine Walker would accept it.



Thomas is working on sign-and-trades with Memphis and Boston, respectively, with Michael Sweetney considered his most attractive pawn. Thomas still wants to upgrade the power forward position with more length.

But Thomas' main goal entering free agency was to sign a big shot-blocking defensive center and James was high on his list.

During the summer league, Thomas said he was interested in a center with "girth" and that's surely James. His weight was a big issue early in his career, but he gives the Knicks the defensive paint presence they lack.

Thomas' motivation must have grown after watching first-round pick, 6-11 center Channing Frye, struggle defensively during summer league play in Las Vegas, burdened by foul trouble in almost every game.

"We took a look around the league and saw the Knicks had no true center after trading Nazr [Mohammed] and Kurt Thomas," Fleisher said. "With [Shaquille O'Neal] in the East, he likes the challenge of going back there."

Scott Layden's Knicks pursued James heavily three years ago, but he re-signed with Seattle. He was the Sonics starting center, averaging just 16.6 minutes, collecting 4.9 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.39 blocks per game. He improved in the playoffs, averaging 12.5 points in 26.8 minutes.

"Seattle played small ball," Fleisher said. "All he did was set picks for guards."

The Knicks want to run, too, and that's not James' style. However, he'll take up space in the middle and block shots. The Knicks ranked last in blocked shots last season.

"The thing with James," one player personnel director said, "he plays hard in his contract year, [that's] when you see the little intangibles.

What can Walker offer?

Playoff experience, veteran leadership, versatility, savvy.

That said, I'd rather have a more defensive-oriented PF that can bang in the paint and who doesn't need the ball to be effective.

Stromile is one of my favorite players in the league, behind only Artest and our own Trevor Ariza (give Nate time, he'll get there ). If we can bring him to the apple, I will be ecstatic about this offseason even if it's the last move we make.

He's still a possibility. Unfortunately, so is Walker.

Thelonius, don't let these guys sway you. Walker is a very good player, and I don't see a better one available to us.

Jerome James looked good in the payoffs and had a decent season, if we truly signed him, lets hope he doesn't turn out to be another Chris Childs.

What can Walker offer us? He is a decent baller, with good handling skills, rebounding and scoring abilities. If he can provide the same production that he did in Dallas, he would be a good addition.

AW had the lowest production of his career with Dallas. That team was loaded and the rotation was set when he got there...he would be our second best player.

However, as many PFs as we already have, why would we even consider bringing in another one?

Because ALL the power forwards we have are role players.

Is Isiah thinking about moving: Malik, Sweetney, JYD, Mo T? In my opinion, it would be nice to move at least 3 of those players mentioned above. Buttler, Lee and Walker would be our PFs, while James and Frye could share the Center spot.

I hope he moves at least two of those guys, hopefully Malik Rose and Maurice Taylor.

Have you seen Butler play yet? Do you really want him to be part of the regular rotation? I dont think he is ready to play regularly for any NBA team. Right now he is a garbage time, injured reserve type player at best.

That said, I'd rather have a more defensive-oriented PF that can bang in the paint and who doesn't need the ball to be effective.

Do we have a better option than Walker? It would be nice to have a power forward like you described, but I don't see any available to us that can log starter type minutes on a winning team.

Hmm, we need a real center. We also need a real PF.

Well, if Jerome James is really signed we have a legit center at least, though he is still unproven in my eyes.

***

Stromile is an exciting dunker and transition player, and I really think that is what most people are reacting to.

There is another good reasons to get Swift here: JYD will no longer be the ugliest Knick and Marbury will be Billy Dee Williams by comparison.

We could actually have a pretty good frontline if we manage to get Walker and Swift (And keeping Sweetney would be the icing!) But that would screw our young players to a certain degree.

oohah

Stro would be a better fit on the Nets. Kidd can make him a star!

That is true. I don't know about a star, but he would be very good with New Jersey.

Walker is a chucker, and I don't see him as a pf as much as a sf.

I really don't see him as the chucker everyone else does. If he is a SF he is doing a great job rebounding. (9 average for his career.)

The MLE is gone, so its sign and trade. If larry is here, I can see it, otherwise build for a future.

Interesting position. IT is not done wheeling and dealing. he still has to get rid of Penny and/or TT. Is Danny Ainge crazy enough to take one or both of those guys off of our hands? I hope so!

oohah

Posted by Silverfuel:

oohah: you are really changing my mind about Walker. I did not like him for a long time but your posts are very convincing. I am sure I will want Walker on the Knicks. Good job man.

[Edited by - Silverfuel on 07/14/2005 10:14:19]

Walker would be a great addition except for the fact that he more often than not needs the ball to be effective. With Marbury, Nate, and Crawford all needing minutes at point, how can Walker fit in?

Posted by diderotn:

Dude please!!!! don't even start with Stro playing Center...that would be a rediculous idea.

Okay, I didn't want to get pulled in to asking, but how exactly is it ridiculous? Because he's 6'9", like Kurt? Swift plays a much bigger game than that. He can play against C's fine and can block shots in the paint. As far as I'm concerned, he'd be our most productive player from that spot.
Dido, isn't your dream starting lineup with Frye at PF and James at C? Then who do you have at backup C? These two guys haven't convinced me that they can keep themselves in the game long enough to feel concerned about our center position. My only comment was that Swift could play some backup C when need be. He is a PF, but he does have that option.

I still want to avoid Walker at all costs. I really don't want another guy who will lounge around the perimeter and play nonexistant defense. I will say one thing for the guy, he's a triple double threat every single night: Points, rebounds, and turnovers.

I'm not against get Walker, it's just that I'd rather Stro just because he can block shots, play above the rim and he's younger. I also know that Walker can post up which is important.

Posted by oohah:

If your replacement for walker is Swift, the cost will be about 8-10 wins.

That is laughable. No matter what your qualitative impressions are, the stats say otherwise. I'm going with the stats on this one.